LED device for stimulation of vitamin d synthesis in a person or animal

Abstract

A device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in at least one person or animal, comprising: an upper shell (10); a lower base(100); a stem (200); at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) which emit UVB rays; first electrical power supply means (12, 14) for the LEDs (13); first measuring means (25) for automatically measuring the distance (d) of the at least one person or animal; possible control means (15) operatively connected with the first electrical power supply means (12, 14) and with the first measuring means (25) to automatically interrupt the power supply for the LEDs (13) should the distance (d) detected by the latter be smaller than a predetermined or settable safety threshold value.

Description

[0001] LED DEVICE FOR STIMULATION OF VITAMIN D SYNTHESIS IN A PERSON OR ANIMAL DESCRIPTION

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of electronic devices, and it particularly relates to a LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in one or more people or animals exposed thereto.

[0004] Definitions

[0005] In the present document, the expression "UVA ray-emitting LED" or derivatives is used to indicate a LED suitable to emit electromagnetic radiations with a wavelength comprised between 316 nm and 400 nm.

[0006] In the present document, the expression "UVB ray-emitting LED" or derivatives is used to indicate a LED suitable to emit electromagnetic radiations with a wavelength comprised between 315 nm and 281 nm.

[0007] In the present document, the expression "UVC ray-emitting LED" or derivatives is used to indicate a LED suitable to emit electromagnetic radiations with a wavelength comprised between 100 nm and 280 nm.

[0008] In the present document, the expression "visible light-emitting LED" or derivatives is used to indicate a LED suitable to emit electromagnetic radiations with wavelength comprised between 401 nm and 780 nm.

[0009] In the present document, the expression "operative connection" or derivatives referring to two or more parts is used to indicate a connection between said parts of any type, whether it is of the physical type by means of cables or wireless, for example by means of radio waves, infrared rays or lasers, suitable to ensure the interaction thereof.

[0010] State of the Art

[0011] Devices which use LEDs and LED strips capable of emitting electromagnetic radiations of different wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, and in particular LEDs which emit visible light or UV rays, be they UVA, UVB or UVC rays are known.

[0012] It is also known that the LED devices which emit UVB rays stimulate the vitamin D synthesis in a person or animal.

[0013] Such prior art devices can be improved.

[0014] Summary of the invention An object of the present invention to provide a LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in a person or animal that is highly functional and cost-effective.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in a person or animal that is particularly safe.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in one or more people or animals which guarantees with certainty the stimulation of the latter.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in one or more people or animals that adapts the stimulation to the person who uses it.

[0018] These and other objects that will be more apparent hereinafter, are attained by the LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in a person or animal as described, illustrated and / or claimed herein.

[0019] In particular, according to a first aspect, there may be provided for a LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in at least one person or animal according to one or more of claims 1 to 10.

[0020] On the other hand, in a further aspect independent from the one outlined above, there may be provided for LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in at least one person or animal according to one or more of claims 11 to 20.

[0021] In a further aspect independent from both of the ones above, there may be provided for a LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in at least one person or animal, comprising: a shell; at least one first plurality of LEDs arranged in said shell, the LEDs of said at least one first plurality of LEDs being adapted to emit electromagnetic radiations with wavelength comprised between 315 nm and 265 nm to stimulate vitamin D synthesis in the at least one person or animal; first electrical power supply means for said at least one first plurality of LEDs.

[0022] Suitably, the device may be arranged in an environment which includes a support structure, and it may comprise means for constraining said shell to the support structure.

[0023] Advantageously, the support structure may be movable or stationary. The constraint means may be of any type, provided that they are adapted to constrain the shell of the device to the support structure in a fixed or removable fashion. In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, such device may comprise detection means for detecting the presence of at least one person or animal in the environment, there being provided for control means operatively connected with said detection means to receive an operational signal in the event of detection of the at least one person or animal.

[0024] Preferably, the control means may be configured so as not to power-supply said at least one first plurality of LEDs in the absence of receipt of said operational signal and to automatically selectively power said at least one first plurality of LEDs by way of response to receipt of said operational signal, so that the vitamin D synthesis stimulation in the at least one person or animal occurs exclusively while the latter is in the environment.

[0025] Advantageously, irrespective of the presence or absence of the previous characteristic, the control means operatively connected with said detection means to receive said operational signal may be configured to monitor the inactivity time of said operational signal, the device further comprising means for sending an alarm information to one or more predetermined or settable remote users, said third control means being operatively connected with said sending means to send an activation signal to the latter should said inactivity time of said operational signal be greater than a predetermined or settable threshold value.

[0026] Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent in the light of the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusively embodiment of the device 1, shown by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of a first embodiment of the device 1;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a front schematic view of another embodiment of the device 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of another embodiment of the device 1;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the shell 10.

[0032] Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0033] With reference to the figures mentioned above, herein described is a device 1 for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in one or more people or animals P present in an environment A, in particular a space or a room, such as for example a bathroom a room of a restaurant or a cafeteria, an office, a company meeting room, a domestic room or the like.

[0034] The present invention may include various parts and / or similar or identical elements. Unless otherwise specified, similar or identical parts and / or elements will be indicated using a single reference number, it being clear that the described technical characteristics are common to all similar or identical parts and / or elements.

[0035] Advantageously, furthermore, the device 1 may be arranged in an environment A where there is present a movable or stationary support structure, and it may comprise means for constraining to the latter. The constraint may be of any type, provided that it is adapted to constrain the device 1 to the support structure in a fixed or removable fashion.

[0036] Preferably, such device 1 may be in the form of a lamp.

[0037] For example, in a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment shown in FIG. 1, such lamp 1 may be suitable to be fixed as a ceiling light to a stationary support structure, such as for example a ceiling, a part or the cockpit of a vehicle by means of fixing means, not shown in the figures given that they are per se known. Such fixing means may be of any type, for example screws, dowels, brackets or bonding agent.

[0038] In such embodiment, the constraint means may consist of the fixing means.

[0039] On the other hand, in a further preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the lamp 1 may be a table lamp, as shown in FIG. 2, or a floor lamp, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] In such embodiment, the constraint means may consist of the stem or the base of the lamp.

[0041] In any case, the device 1 may comprise a shell 10, which may possibly be made of a thermally conductive material, for example polymeric or metallic. Such material may for example have a minimum thermal conductivity of 1 W / m K.

[0042] For example, the shell 10 may be made of aluminium or polypropylene, polycarbonate, ABS, polyurethane or EPDM, possibly filled. On the other hand, the shell 10 may be made of non-conductive polymer, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0043] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, besides the upper shell 10, the device 1 may further include a lower base 100, to be removably placed for example on a desk, a table, a floor or the like, and a stem 200 interposed between them, of any shape.

[0044] Preferably, the device 1 may comprise at least two pluralities or arrays of LEDs 13, 13', for example strips of LEDs connected with the printed circuit board 121 and each having a respective electrical power supply circuit 12, 12'. It is clear that even although hereinafter for the sake of simplicity reference will be made to LED strips, the pluralities or arrays of LEDs may be configured in any manner without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0045] It is also clearthat within the plurality of LEDs the latter may be all identical or different from each other, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0046] It is also clear that although hereinafter reference will be made to a printed circuit board connected to both LED strips, the device 1 may also include two independent printed circuit boards for power-supplying and independently controlling the LEDs of the strips 13 and 13'.

[0047] The LED strips 13 and 13' may emit freely in the air without any covering. However, possibly, there may be provided for respective optically transparent covers, for example made of transparent silicone, and / or concentrators, per se known.

[0048] In the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, furthermore, the device 1 may further include asymmetric optics to evenly distribute the radiation coming from the LEDs on the irradiated surface. Such configuration is particularly advantageous given that it ensures a correct stimulation of the person or animal P irrespective of the relative position thereof with respect to the LED strip 13.

[0049] Suitably, the device 1 may comprise an electrical power supply 14 connected, by means of a power supply cable, to a source of electrical energy, for example a domestic or industrial mains.

[0050] Preferably, the power-supply unit 14 may convert the supply voltage, which in the case of the domestic power mains is about 220-240 V (AC), into a predetermined voltage and / or current intensity, for example with a value comprised between 3 -5 V and 50 - 60 mA.

[0051] In order to ensure the operation of the device 1 even in the event of power blackout, a battery pack and / or a connection with an uninterruptible power-supply unit may be provided for.

[0052] Advantageously, the LEDs of the strip 13 may emit electromagnetic radiations with wavelength comprised between 315 nm and 265 nm to stimulate the vitamin D synthesis to the one or more people P in the environment A. On the other hand, the LEDs of the strip 13' may emit visible light, for example light, preferably warm 2500 - 2700 K.

[0053] Depending on the desired colour temperature, one may be selected from LED strips of six different temperature ranges, from 2500 K, warm tone, to over 8000 K, cold tone.

[0054] It is clear that such configuration is provided solely by way of non-limiting example of the invention. For example, the first plurality of LEDs 13 and / or the second plurality of LEDs 13' may also include other types of LEDs, provided that they include respectively at least one first and one second group of LEDs with the characteristics outlined above.

[0055] However, in a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the device 1 may be without further LEDs which emit UVA and / or UVC rays besides the LEDs of the strip 13 and possibly of the strip 13'.

[0056] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, there may be provided for general means 60 for switching on the device 1 , such as for example a power button connected with the power-supply unit 14 and provided for example directly on the shell 10 or on the base 100, or provided on the wall or in a remote operation module, for example in the case of home automation systems. Therefore, irrespective of the position, the switching on means 60 may generally allow a selective switching on of the device 1 and supply the printed circuit board 121.

[0057] However, it is clear that the device 1 may also be without general switching on means 60. Therefore, in this case the general supply of power to the printed circuit board 121 may be ensured simply by connecting to the device 1, which will be normally power-supplied, to the power mains.

[0058] Preferably, the device 1 may comprise detection means 20 adapted to emit an operational signal linked to the presence of at least one person or animal P in the environment A where the device 1 is arranged.

[0059] Suitably, such detection means 20, which will detect the presence of the person or animal P in the environment A at predetermined time ranges, for example 1 or 2 seconds, may be integrated in the shell 10 and / or in the base 100 and / or in the stem 200.

[0060] The detection means 20 may be of any type, provided that they are adapted to emit an alarm signal linked to the presence of at least one human and / or animal in the room. For example, the detection means 20 may include or be defined by biometric sensors suitable to detect, for example by means of a Doppler radar, human or animal heartbeat, and / or motion sensors suitable to detect human or animal movement, and / or temperature sensors suitable to detect human or animal body temperature. The device 1 may further comprise control means, for example a logic control unit 15. The latter may be provided on a special printed circuit board dedicated or integrated in the printed circuit board 121.

[0061] Although hereinafter for the sake of simplicity reference will be made to a single logic control unit 15, it is clear that the control means may comprise several logic control units possibly each dedicated to a special control, without departing from the scope of protection of the attached claims.

[0062] It is also clearthat the control means may be of any type, for example a microprocessor or a microcontroller.

[0063] Suitably, the logic control unit 15 may be operatively connected with the detection means 20 and with the electric circuits 12, 12' to act on the latter depending on the operational signal received by the former.

[0064] In the embodiment of the device 1 of FIG. 1, which may act as a ceiling light or wall lamp for example arranged at a distance from the ground equal to 1.5 m - 2.70 m, the logic control unit 15 may be configured so as not to power-supply the LEDs of the strip 13 in the absence of receipt of the operational signal and to automatically selectively power them in response to the receipt thereof.

[0065] In other words, in the absence of signal by the detection means 20 the LEDs of the strip 13 may be switched off. When the logic control unit 15 receives an operational signal coming from the detection means 20, which occurs when one or more people or animals P enter into the environment A, it may automatically command the power-supply of the LED strip 13 through the power-supply circuit 12.

[0066] In this manner, there will be the certainty that the person or animal P who enters into the environment A will be stimulated to synthesise vitamin D, irrespective of the intentions thereof. This is particularly advantageous for animals, the elderly or children.

[0067] Furthermore, for example, this allows to take vitamin D while sleeping, for example at night.

[0068] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the device 1 may include measuring means, for example a radar 25, for automatically measuring the distance d of a person detected by the latter on the shell 10, the base 100 and / or the stem 200.

[0069] In the embodiment of the device 1 of FIG. 1, furthermore, the logic control unit 15 may be operatively connected with the measuring means 25 to automatically modulate the power supply of the LED strip 13' depending on the detected distance.

[0070] The aforementioned modulation may be controlled by the logic control unit 15 by power-supplying the LED strip 13 with a higher or lower current intensity. In particular, the LEDs of the strip 13 may provide a predetermined amount of energy to the person or animal who enters into the environment. Therefore, the intensity of the current supplied to the LEDs of the strip 13 may increase as the distance d detected by the detection means 25 increases, and decrease as the same distance d decreases.

[0071] On the other hand, in the embodiment of the device 1 of FIGs. 2 and 3, the logic control unit 15 may be configured to automatically interrupt the power-supply of the LEDs of the strip 13 should the distance d detected by the measuring means 25 be lower than a predetermined or settable safety threshold value, for example 5 - 10 cm.

[0072] In this manner, such embodiment of the device 1 may be particularly safe, given that should a child or animal approach the LEDs of the strip 13 the latter go off, so as to prevent the child or animal from damaging the eyes by nearing them to the LEDs of the strip 13 too much.

[0073] It should be observed that in such embodiment the switching on of the LEDs of the strip 13 may be carried out selectively by means of special activation means, or it may be linked to the distance measured by the measuring means 25, like in the embodiment of Fig. 1, obviously provided that such LEDs are not power supplied should the distance be smaller than the safety threshold value mentioned above.

[0074] Furthermore, it is clear that in such embodiment the intensity of the current to be supplied to the LEDs of the strip 13 may or may not be modulated depending on the distance measured by the measuring means 25, like in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0075] In order to increase the safety of the embodiment of the device 1 of FIGs. 2 and 3, there may be provided for an inclinometer and / or an accelerometer 300 operatively connected with the logic control unit 15 to automatically interrupt the power supply of the LEDs of the strip 13 should the inclination angle measured by the inclinometer and / or the acceleration measured by the accelerometer be greater than a predetermined or settable safety threshold value, for example 5° and / or 10 cm / s2.

[0076] In this manner, should the child or the animal rotate the lamp exposing it to potential danger of damaging the eyes, the LEDs of the strip 13 go off.

[0077] It should be observed that the embodiment of FIGs. 2 and 3 may exclusively include the inclinometer and / or accelerometer 300 or exclusively the logic control unit 15 configured to automatically interrupt the power supply of the LEDs of the strip 13 should the distance d detected by the measuring means 25 be smaller than a predetermined or settable safety threshold value or both such characteristics.

[0078] The power-supply of the strip 13' with the LEDs which emit visible light may be selective, for example with activation means 61, for example a switch, by selectively acting on the power-supply circuit 12' of the LED strip 13'. Just like for the general switching on means 60, the activation means 61 may be arranged in any position, for example at the base 100, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or provided on the wall or in a remote operation module, for example in the case of home automation systems.

[0079] As known, the need for vitamin D in a person varies as the skin pigmentation varies. In order to modulate the appropriate amount of electromagnetic radiations with which to stimulate a single person, there may be provided for data acquisition means 27 configured to acquire one or more data concerning the skin pigmentation of the at least one person or animal who enters into the environment, possibly detected by the detection means 20.

[0080] For example, such data may relate to the person's phototype and / or age and / or geographical location, and may contribute to determining the amount of radiated energy that the person needs for vitamin D synthesis.

[0081] Preferably, one or more of the aforementioned data may include at least the skin type of at least one person or animal and, possibly, the age thereof.

[0082] Advantageously, the logic control unit 15 may be configured to automatically modulate the power supply of the LEDs of the strip 13 based on one or more of the aforementioned data.

[0083] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the data acquisition means 27 may include or consist of scanning means 27, for example a video camera and / or a scanner, integrated into the shell 10 or separated therefrom, operatively connected with the detection means 20 to read the skin phototype of the person in the environment and with the logic control unit 15 to carry out the modulation mentioned above.

[0084] In a further embodiment, the scanning means 27 may include or consist of a smartphone or similar device 600 in whose CPU there is installed a dedicated software app. The smartphone or similar device 600 may be connected to the control means 15 for example through Bluetooth®. To this end, the latter may include a module for receiving data through the Bluetooth®.

[0085] For example, a user can take a picture of their skin using the camera 610 of the smartphone or similar device 600, and the software app may determine the phototype thereof by comparing it to a database of photos of human skin having known phototypes. Such database may be installed on the smartphone or similar device or it may be operatively connected or connectable therewith. For example, the database may be uploaded to a remote server or cloud, and the software app may access it via the internet.

[0086] Possibly, further data such as for example the age and / or geographical location of the person may be introduced into the app.

[0087] In any case, once the phototype of the skin of the user has been determined, the software app may send such datum together with any other data mentioned above, for example acquired through the keyboard of the smartphone or similar device 600 , to the logic control unit 15, which may act on the power supply circuit 12 to modulate the power supply of the LEDs of strip 13 depending on the data received.

[0088] Advantageously, the control means 15 may be configured to send to the smartphone or similar device 600 the time of presence in environment A of at least one person or animal detected by the detection means 20.

[0089] The software app may therefore calculate - depending on the residence time - the approximate amount of vitamin D synthesised by at least one person or animal and display it on the screen of the smartphone or similar device 600.

[0090] Regardless of their type, should the scanning means 27 read the skin pigmentation of multiple people, the logic control unit 15 may be configured to modulate the power supply of the LEDs of the strip 13 depending on the phototype and any other data of the person with the lighter skin.

[0091] In a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the logic control unit 15 may be configured to monitor the time when the detection means 20 do not send an operational signal due to the absence of people or animals in the environment and to send alarm information to one or more predetermined or settable remote users by means of special sending means 400 should the above-mentioned time be a predetermined or settable threshold value.

[0092] This characteristic is particularly useful in the event of people who need constant stimulation to vitamin D synthesis, such as for example the elderly or sick people. As a matter of fact, this will allow to alert any relatives or physicians should the elderly or sick person not be subjected to the stimulation he / she needs.

[0093] Preferably, the logic control unit 15 may increase the intensity of the supply current should there be detected a radiated energy below a first minimum radiated energy threshold and / or decrease it should there be detected a radiated energy above a second maximum radiated energy threshold.

[0094] In the light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-established objects.

[0095] The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants. All details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending on the needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in at least one person or animal (P), the device being arranged in an environment (A) that includes a support structure, comprising:- an upper shell (10);- a lower base (100) which can be removably placed on the support structure;- a stem (200) interposed between said upper shell (10) and said lower base (100);- at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) arranged in said shell (10), the LEDs of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) being adapted to emit electromagnetic radiations with a wavelength comprised between 315 nm and 265 nm to stimulate vitamin D synthesis in the least one person or animal (P);- first electrical power supply means (12, 14) for said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13).

2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one inclinometer and / or an accelerometer (300), there being provided for first control means (15) operatively connected with the latter to automatically interrupt the power supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) should the inclination angle measured by the inclinometer and / or the acceleration measured by the accelerometer be higher than a predetermined or settable safety threshold value.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising first measuring means (25) arranged in said upper shell (10) and / or in said lower base (100) for automatically measuring the distance (d) of the at least one person or animal (P), there being provided for second control means (15) operatively connected with said first electrical power supply means (12, 14) and with said first measuring means (25) to automatically interrupt the power supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) should the distance (d) detected by said first measuring means (25) be less than a predetermined or settable safety threshold value.

4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising detection means (20) for detecting the presence of the at least one person or animal in the environment, there being provided for control means (15) operatively connected with said detection means (20) to receive an operational signal in case of detection of the at least one person or animal, said control means (15) being configured not to power said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) in the absence of receipt of said operational signal and to automatically selectively power said at least onefirst plurality of LEDs (13) in response to the reception of said operational signal, so that the vitamin D synthesis stimulation in the at least one person or animal occurs exclusively while the latter is in the environment.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said third control means (15) are configured to monitor the inactivity time of said operational signal, the device further comprising means (400) for sending an alarm information to one or more predetermined or settable remote users, said control means (15) being operatively connected with said sending means (400) to send an activation signal to the latter should said inactivity time of said operational signal be greater than a predetermined or settable threshold value.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second plurality of LEDs (13') which emit visible light and second electrical power supply means (12', 14) for said second plurality of LEDs (13').

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising data acquisition means (27) configured to acquire at least one datum concerning the pigmentation of the skin of the at least one person or animal, said at least one data preferably being the phototype of the skin and possibly the age of the at least one person or animal, there being provided for fourth control means (15) being configured to automatically modulate the power supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) based on said at least one datum.

8. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said data acquisition means include scanning means (27) configured to read the skin pigmentation of the at least one person or animal detected by said detection means (20), said fourth control means (15) being operatively connected with said scanning means (27) to automatically modulate the power supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) based on the pigmentation read by the latter.

9. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said scanning means (27) include or consist of a smartphone or similar device (600) operatively connected or connectable to said fourth control means (15), said smartphone or similar device (600 ) comprising a camera (610) with which the at least one person can take a photo of the skin thereof and a CPU in which there is installed or there can be installed a software app comprising instructions adapted to induce the CPU of said smartphone or similar device (600) once in use carry out the following steps:loading from a database (DB) a plurality of comparative photos of human skin having a known phototype; compare the photo of the skin of the at least one person taken with said camera (610) with said comparative photos to determine phototype thereof; send the determined phototype to said third control means (15).

10. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said smartphone or similar device (600) comprises a data entry keypad, said software app comprising instructions adapted to induce the CPU of said smartphone or similar device (600) once in use to carry out the following steps: acquire, through said data entry keypad, the age and possibly the geographical origin of the at least one person or animal; send to the fourth control means (15) the age and possibly the geographical origin of the at least one person or animal together with the phototype of the latter.

11. A LED device for stimulating vitamin D synthesis in at least one person or animal (P), the device being arranged in an environment (A) that includes a stationary support structure, comprising:- a shell (10);- means for fixing said shell (10) to the stationary support structure;- at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) arranged in said shell (10), the LEDs of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) being adapted to emit electromagnetic radiations with a wavelength comprised between 315 nm and 265 nm for stimulating the vitamin D synthesis in the least one person or animal (P);- first electrical power supply means (12, 14) of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13);- detection means (20) arranged in said shell (10) to detect the presence of the at least one person or animal in the environment;- control means (15) operatively connected with said detection means (20) to receive an operational signal from the latter following the detection of the presence of the at least one person or animal in the environment, said control means (15) being further operatively connected with said first electrical power supply means (12, 14); wherein said control means (15) are configured so as not to power-supply said at leastone first plurality of LEDs (13) in the absence of receipt of said operational signal and to automatically selectively power said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) by way of response to the receipt of said operational signal, so that the vitamin D synthesis stimulation in the at least one person or animal (P) occurs exclusively while the latter is in the environment (A).

12. Device according to claim 11, further comprising a second plurality of LEDs (13') which emit visible light and second electrical power supply means (12', 14) thereof.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising measuring means (25) arranged in said shell (10) for automatically measuring the distance (d) of the at least one person or animal, said control means (15) being operatively connected with said measuring means (25) to automatically modulate the power supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) depending on the distance detected by said measuring means (25).

14. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said control means (15) are configured to monitor the inactivity time of said operational signal, the device further comprising means (400) for sending an alarm information to one or more predetermined or settable remote users, said control means (15) being operatively connected with said sending means (400) to send an activation signal to the latter should said inactivity time be greater than a predetermined or settable threshold value.

15. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, comprising data acquisition means (27) configured to acquire at least one datum concerning the pigmentation of the skin of the at least one person or animal, said at least one datum preferably being the phototype of the skin and possibly the age of the at least one person or animal, said control means (15) being configured to automatically modulate the power supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) based on said at least one datum.

16. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said data acquisition means include scanning means (27) configured to read the skin pigmentation of the at least one person or animal detected by said detection means (20), said control means (15) being operatively connected with said scanning means (27) to automatically modulate the power supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13) based on the pigmentation read by the latter.

17. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said scanning means (27) include or consist of a smartphone or similar device (600) operatively connected or connectable tosaid control means (15), said smartphone or similar device (600 ) comprising a camera (610) with which the at least one person can take a photo of the skin thereof and a CPU in which there is installed or there can be installed a software app comprising instructions adapted to induce the CPU of said smartphone or similar device (600) once in use to carry out the following steps: loading from a database a plurality of comparative photos of human skin having a known phototype; compare the photo of the skin of the at least one person taken with said camera (610) with said comparative photos to determine phototype thereof; send the determined phototype to said control means (15).

18. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein said smartphone or similar device (600) comprises a data entry means, said software app comprising instructions adapted to induce the CPU of said smartphone or similar device (600) once in use to carry out the following steps: acquire, through said data entry means, the age and possibly the geographical origin of the at least one person or animal; send to the control means (15) the age and possibly the geographical origin of the at least one person or animal together with the phototype of the latter.

19. Device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said smartphone or similar device (600) comprises a screen, said control means (15) being configured to send to said smartphone or similar device (600) the time of presence in the environment (A) of the at least one person or animal detected by said detection means (20), said software app comprising instructions adapted to induce the CPU of said smartphone or similar device (600) once in use to carry out the following steps: calculate on the basis of said residence time the approximate amount of vitamin D synthesised by the at least one person or animal; display such approximate amount on the screen of said smartphone or similar device (600).

20. Device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein said scanning means (27) are configured to read the skin pigmentation of a plurality of people, said control means (15) being configured to modulate the power-supply of said at least one first plurality of LEDs (13)based on the pigmentation of the person with the lighter skin.

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